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He’s not a person, not a myth, and definitely not just weather—Karl the Fog is a full-blown San Francisco personality.
San Francisco’s most famous local isn’t a celebrity—it’s Karl the Fog, the city’s ever-present, slightly moody weather companion. Rolling in with dramatic flair across the Golden Gate Bridge, Karl is a must-see character on any San Francisco private tour. Whether you’re cruising along the coast on a small-group sightseeing tour or snapping fog-kissed photos from a scenic overlook, this misty icon adds a layer of mystery to the city’s charm.
San Francisco is a city known for its captivating beauty, from its iconic Golden Gate Bridge to its charming cable cars. But among the city’s many residents, one has proven to be particularly elusive yet universally recognized: Karl the Fog. Born into the Twittersphere in August 2010, Karl has since amassed 362,000 Twitter followers and 11,000 tweets. Not bad for a cloud of water vapor, right?
Karl isn’t random—San Francisco fog is basically science with a flair for drama. Here’s the simple version: cool air over the Pacific meets warmer inland air, and that temperature difference pulls moist ocean air through the Golden Gate (the actual strait, not just the bridge). When that moist air cools, it condenses into the foggy marine layer we all know (and occasionally shiver in).
Karl the Fog covers San Francisco in a blanket of white. cc 4.0 David Yu
If you’re trying to catch Karl in the wild, these are the classic hangouts. Bonus: they’re all fantastic photo stops even when Karl decides to “soft launch” instead of fully blanketing the city.
In 2010 an anonymous person began a Twitter account for the San Francisco Fog, inspired by the fake BP public relations account that appeared after the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that year, and named “Karl the Fog” after the misunderstood “Karl the Giant” in the 2003 film Big Fish.
“I just ate San Francisco. It tastes like confused tourists buying fleeces at Fisherman’s Wharf.”
– #KarlTheFog
Karl doesn’t follow a schedule, which is exactly why a flexible route helps. On an open-air Golden Gate Bridge sightseeing tour, your guide can pivot between viewpoints based on visibility, wind, and traffic—so you’re not stuck staring into a white wall (unless you want that moody vibe on purpose).
Karl is no mere fog bank rolling over the San Francisco Bay; he has taken on a life of his own. With social media accounts, and even a published book, Karl is a full-blown phenomenon. He’s a living, breathing (well, not really) entity that has its own emotions, opinions, and an undeniable sense of humor. If you’re not following @KarlTheFog on Twitter, you’re missing out on some incredibly “cool” content.
“How long have I known I was gray? As far back as I can remember. I felt different from other clouds, but I wouldn’t change a thing.” #GrayPride”
-KarlTheFog
Karl is a character full of contradictions. At times, he can obscure the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, lending the city a surreal, ethereal vibe. At other times, he’ll pull back, as if to say, “Hey, check out how gorgeous this city is!” Karl has a knack for drama, enhancing San Francisco’s natural beauty by acting as a natural filter. The fog adds a layer of mystery and charm that not even the finest Instagram filter could mimic.
“I don’t see the world as black or white, just many shades of me.”
– #KarlTheFog
Karl serves as a symbol of San Francisco’s resilience and adaptability. When life gives San Francisco fog, its residents don’t make fog-ade—they make art, music, and moments that matter. Locals have come to expect and even appreciate Karl’s unpredictable personality, often planning their days around his “mood swings.”
“All that is sunny does not glitter, not all those in the fog are lost.”
-#KarltheFog
Karl’s influence doesn’t stop at Twitter and Instagram; he has also ventured into the literary world with his own book, aptly named “Karl the Fog: San Francisco’s Most Mysterious Resident.” The book offers readers a deeper insight into his foggy world, featuring beautiful photos and Karl’s own witty commentary.
“Typical outfit for July in San Francisco: t-shirt, jeans, sweatshirt, winter jacket, scarf, mittens, hypothermia”
– #KarltheFog
Karl is a captivating personality who encapsulates what makes San Francisco special: a unique blend of natural beauty and human creativity. Whether you consider him a nuisance or a muse, Karl the Fog is undoubtedly an enduring part of San Francisco’s unique cultural fabric. So next time you find yourself in the City by the Bay, remember the words of Karl himself: “All that is sunny does not glitter, not all those in the fog are lost.”
Don’t forget to follow Karl on Twitter at @KarlTheFog to keep up with his latest escapades and musings. Because let’s face it, any fog that can write a book and manage social media is worth keeping an eye on.
Karl the Fog – San Francisco’s Most Mysterious Resident
Book Description: San Francisco, home of cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge—and its quintessential cool gray fog. Fog a bay area resident – naturally uses Twitter and Instagram accounts to document his comings and goings and the beauty of the city he loves (except for when it’s sunny). Amassing roughly half a million followers across social platforms, Karl the Fog’s witty takes on San Francisco paired with beautiful, evocative photography have earned him celebrity status in the Bay Area and beyond. Packaged in a fog-wrapped acetate jacket, Karl’s first book features more than 50 scenic selfies and entertaining observations about the city, along with details of his family’s foggy history, and a foreword by Sutro Tower.
Chronicle Books, 9781452173832, 112pp. Publication Date: June 11, 2019
READ MORE: Karl the Fog, SF’s mist-erious Twitter celebrity, talks about his new book
Join us for a Golden Gate Bridge sightseeing tour aboard an open-air Jeep! Our expert guides know all the best viewpoints to spot Karl drifting through the towers or blanketing the bay. With plenty of photo ops and fun local stories along the way, this is the ultimate way to meet San Francisco’s most elusive resident. Book your private San Francisco Jeep Tour today and let Karl the Fog be part of your unforgettable city adventure!
San Francisco Jeep Tours is the ideal tour activity in San Francisco onboard their private tours. The customized city tour routes and entertaining tour guides cover lots of information on the “not to miss” attractions including Karl The Fog!
Book a San Francisco Jeep City Tour, Sunset and City Lights San Francisco Jeep Tours, or the Full Day Combo City and Muir Woods tour to travel to many of the bucket list and off-the-beaten-track locations in and around San Francisco.
Check out the San Francisco Jeep Tours website for more information on exploring the city by the bay.
Fog is part of San Francisco’s personality, and locals even gave it a name. If you’ve heard people talk about “Karl,” here’s what they mean—and how it shows up on Jeep tours.
A local nickname with a lot of personality.
Karl the Fog is the playful nickname locals use for San Francisco’s dense summer marine layer, especially around the Golden Gate Bridge. The article explains how the nickname caught on and why the fog feels like a recurring character in the city’s everyday life.
It’s all about geography and temperature.
Cool Pacific Ocean air meets warmer inland temperatures, creating a pressure difference that pulls moist air through the Golden Gate strait. As that air cools, it condenses into dramatic fog that often wraps the bridge, the Marin Headlands, and the surrounding coastline.
Yes—fog doesn’t stop the experience.
All city and Muir Woods Jeep tours include a drive over the Golden Gate Bridge when conditions allow. Foggy days often create moody, cinematic photos, and your guide chooses the best viewpoint based on visibility, wind, and traffic.
Timing can make a difference.
Fog is never guaranteed, but late afternoon, sunset, and evening departures often offer the best chance. The San Francisco Sunset or City Lights Private Group Jeep Tour and the Muir Woods and Sausalito tour both cross the bridge and visit viewpoints where fog frequently rolls in.
Dress warmer than you think.
Layers are essential. A warm base layer, windproof jacket, and hat or hood are recommended. Even when downtown San Francisco feels sunny, the Golden Gate area can be cold and windy once Karl makes an appearance.
Local tip: Fog often clears quickly. One viewpoint might be socked in while another nearby has blue skies, which is why flexible, small-group Jeep tours shine on foggy days.
